1st Lady Donates Book Proceeds

1st lady donates book proceeds

■ C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital to be among recipients across U.S.

By JENNIFER BROWN and DAVID WAHLBERC

It may not take a village to fund a hospital, but it sure helps.

Hillary Rodham Clinton, is donating proceeds from her book, “It Takes a Village,” to the University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children's Hospital and several other hospitals across the country, the first lady announced Friday.

“It’s very exciting,” said Pat Warner, Mott administrator. “It’s so clear she has a very strong commitment to children and children’s health-care needs."

The first installment of profits from Clinton’s book, about $750,000, will be divided among 15 children’s hospitals and other programs mentioned in her book. Mott will receive $25,000.

The bulk of the money was given to the National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions to be distributed among the hospitals. That includes $100,000 to the Children’s National Medical

Center and the Hospital for Sick Children, both in Washington, and to the Children’s Inn at the National Institutes of Health, in Bethesda, Md.

Twenty-three other programs mentioned in her book received $5,000 each.

“What I hope is that the announcement of these donations might encourage other people to become involved at whatever level,” said Ciinton, who presented the money during her annual visit to the Children’s National Medical Center.

Warner said it’s not certain what the money will be used for at Mott, but it will likely go toward such items as housing for patient families who can’t afford it, special equipment some children need and research.

Clinton visited Mott in January when she came to Ann Arbor on her book promotion tour. She met with three young patients.

“We will never forget her visit here,” Warner said. “It meant so much to the institution.”

On Friday, the first lady - accompanied by the White House cat, Socks - participated in the Children’s National Medical Center’s Christmas program, answering questions from children about the family’s Christmas activities.

“Children’s hospitals are performing vital services to children and families across our nation, often against great odds,” Clinton said.